Elon Musk Podcast Waymo Starts Testing in Minneapolis
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Nov 21, 2025 Waymo is ramping up supervised testing in Minneapolis, aiming for winter validation to tackle the challenges of cold-weather driving. The podcast covers the phased rollout strategy, emphasizing the need for reliable sensor performance in freezing conditions. Safety claims are under scrutiny, especially regarding local regulations and public concerns about job impacts. With a focus on technical challenges like sensor cleaning and icy roads, this testing could set a national standard for autonomous vehicles in winter cities.
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Phased Rollout Builds Trust
- Waymo starts with human-driven mapping then supervised autonomy to build repeatable routes and edge-case libraries.
- This phased approach prioritizes validation before seeking rider-only permits in Minneapolis.
Winter Is The Crucial Test
- Minneapolis was chosen because winter conditions pose a core technical question for AVs and test cleaning and decision stability.
- The city gives Waymo dense, complex traffic to validate before scaling outward.
Safety Claims Set Local Expectations
- Waymo cites fewer injury crashes in other cities to support safety claims and set local expectations.
- Minneapolis will use supervised testing results to judge whether rider rollout is justified.